Sonny Thoss set for season debut for Alaska, but Noy Baclao out for rest of PH Cup

Sonny Thoss can’t wait to step on the court once again after missing Alaska's first six games of the season due to a knee injury. Jaime Campos

THE bad news: Alaska will miss Noy Baclao for the rest of PBA Philippine Cup owing to his knee injury.

The good news: the Aces are still set to get a shot in arm as Sonny Thoss is expected to make his season debut on Wednesday in their matchup against Star at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces star slotman can’t wait to step on the court once again after missing the first six games of the season due to his own knee injury.

“We'll see how the warmups go and try to play a little bit,” Thoss said. “It's a little bit shaky, but it's good to be back on the floor again.”

Aces coach Alex Compton, though stressed the 35-year-old slotman is far from tip-top shape, hinting he will break him in for a few minutes.

“Maybe a little bit (of playing time),” Compton said on the eve of the 7 p.m. encounter. “We’ll have to see how he feels.”

“(But) Noy’s done for the conference,” he was quick to add. “We’re certain of that.”

Compton had hoped the holiday break would do wonders for Baclao and help Thoss recover faster and rejoin a side that has turned to undersized big men led by Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, rookie Carl Bryan Cruz, and even big wingman Tony dela Cruz to hold the fort.

“I was hoping the break would really get Sonny to a hundred percent and Noy coming back, but Noy’s done for the conference and Sonny’s not (a hundred percent),” the American coach said.

"So we’ll just have to continue with sort of what we’ve been doing: a little bit of small ball and a whole lot of energy, and a few prayers in there won’t hurt either,” he added.